Heartland Credit Union Association - member business lendinghttps://heartlandcua.org/taxonomy/term/55
enShare “Ease the Burden” Message as HCUA Hike the Hill Kicks Offhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/2986
<a href="/node/2986"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Logos/easetheburden.jpg?itok=n82LGBns" alt="Share “Ease the Burden” Message as HCUA Hike the Hill Kicks Off" title="Share “Ease the Burden” Message as HCUA Hike the Hill Kicks Off" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The impact of regulatory burden is significant on credit unions in Kansas and Missouri. Credit union leaders from both states are bringing this message to Washington, D.C. for the Heartland Credit Union Association’s (HCUA) first official Hike the Hill on June 14-16. Back at home, credit union advocates can also take action by urging members of Congress to “<a href="https://www.easetheburden.com" target="_blank">Ease the Burden</a>!” &nbsp;</p>
<p>The Ease the Burden&nbsp;campaign is coordinated through the national Member Activation Program (MAP).&nbsp;<strong>Take action this week and in the weeks following Hike the Hill</strong> to help lawmakers understand how growing regulatory burden hurts our members&nbsp;AND all consumers.</p>
<p>HCUA has compiled a list of resources for you:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.cuna.org/Grassroots-And-Political-Action/Grassroots-Action-Center/?vvsrc=%252fcampaigns%252f46125%252frespond" target="_blank">Click here</a> to write your members of Congress about regulatory burden.</li>
<li>For more information about the MAP program, visit <a href="http://www.cuna.org/map/" target="_blank">CUNA's website</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>For more information on the campaign, visit the <a href="https://www.easetheburden.com/" target="_blank">Ease the Burden website</a>.</li>
<li>View and print regulatory burden handouts for <a href="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//Documents/ADVOCACY/Regulatoryflier_Kansas_05.10.16.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas</a> and <a href="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//Documents/ADVOCACY/Regulatoryflier_Missouri_05.10.16.pdf" target="_blank">Missouri</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition to regulatory burden concerns, credit union leaders will focus on&nbsp;key points with significant&nbsp;potential impact on credit unions and their members:</p>
<ul>
<li>Maintaining the credit union tax status</li>
<li>Data security</li>
<li>Credit union-focused legislation (member business lending, supplemental capital)</li>
</ul>
<p>The following briefing materials are being shared with federal lawmakers:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//Documents/ADVOCACY/2016.LegislativePacket-Kansas.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas</a></li>
<li><a href="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//Documents/ADVOCACY/2016.LegislativePacket-Missouri.pdf" target="_blank">Missouri</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks to the staff and volunteers from the following credit unions for participating in Hike the Hill:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Anheuser-Busch Employees’ Credit Union</li>
<li>BluCurrent Credit Union</li>
<li>Central Missouri Community Credit Union</li>
<li>CommunityAmerica Credit Union</li>
<li>Golden Plains Credit Union</li>
<li>Mainstreet Credit Union</li>
<li>Mid American Credit Union</li>
<li>Meritrust&nbsp;Credit Union</li>
<li>Wichita Federal Credit Union</li>
</ul>
<p>Watch for photos and information in next week’s<em>&nbsp;Spotlight</em>. You can also follow along with Hike the Hill activities on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CreditUnionAdvocates/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/advocate4cus" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.&nbsp;Share links to your good news stories or member testimonials to help promote credit unions with lawmakers. <a href="https://heartlandcua.org/node/2978" target="_blank">Click here</a> for more ways to share the #CUDifference.</p>
<p>For more information about Ease the Burden or MAP, contact <a href="mailto:amclard@heartlandcua.org">Amy McLard</a>,&nbsp;314.542.1370.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/110" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Advocacy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/125" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hike the Hill</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4645" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ease the Burden</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/326" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">CUNA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2244" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">regulatory burden</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3810" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Data Security</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1146" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">lawmakers</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/218" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Congress</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/833" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">social media</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4243" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Kansas</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2324" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Missouri</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3702" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anheuser-Busch Employees’ Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/919" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BluCurrent Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4646" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Central Missouri Community Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/922" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">CommunityAmerica Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4647" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Golden Plains Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4648" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Mainstreet Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4649" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Mid American Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4650" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Meritrust Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4651" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wichita Federal Credit Union</a></div></div></div>Tue, 14 Jun 2016 16:35:58 +0000Nora Revie2986 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/2986#commentsMissouri’s Clay Cosponsors MBL Billhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/1230
<a href="/node/1230"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/GACClay-TalkingWEB.jpg?itok=9RxWzbNU" alt="Missouri’s Clay Cosponsors MBL Bill" title="Missouri’s Clay Cosponsors MBL Bill" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-District 1) has signed on as a cosponsor to H.R. 688, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act.&nbsp; He is the first cosponsor on this bill from Missouri, and also supported the member business lending (MBL) bill introduced in the last Congress.</p>
<p>The bill&nbsp;raises the member business lending cap from 12.25 to 27.5% of total assets for credit unions, which would help small business owners have more access to the loans they need. Statutory limits on credit union member business lending did not exist until passage of the Credit Union Membership Access Act of 1998 which imposed the cap of 12.25% of a credit union's total assets. There is no economic rationale for this artificial, government-imposed limit.</p>
<p>It is estimated that if the MBL cap is lifted, 1,719 new jobs could be generated and an additional $158,152,136 in business loans made to small business entrepreneurs in Missouri in the first year. &nbsp;Nationwide, it would bring 158,000 new jobs and $14.5 billion in new member business loans.&nbsp; There is no taxpayer cost to the legislation.</p>
<p>“Congressman Clay understands the need for this bill and stated his intent to sign on as a cosponsor during our meeting with him in Washington, D.C.” said Don Cohenour, Missouri Credit Union Association president/CEO.&nbsp; “We greatly appreciate his efforts to support small business owners and help credit unions serve a growing need in our communities.”</p>
<p>Congressman Clay serves on the House Financial Services Committee, which handles most legislation introduced in regards to credit unions. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Credit unions are urged to thank Congressman Clay for supporting the member business lending legislation by contacting (202) 225-2406, or through Congressman Clay’s website: <a href="http://lacyclay.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=90&amp;sectiontree=3,90">http://lacyclay.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=90&amp;sectiontree=3,90</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If additional information is needed, contact Amy McLard at <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org">amclard@mcua.org</a> or 314.542.1370.</p>
<p><em>Photo:&nbsp; Congressman Lacy Clay (D-District 1) discusses credit union concerns, including member business lending,&nbsp;with Missouri credit union representatives during the Governmental Affairs Conference.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/617" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1814" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">H.R. 688</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1815" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act</a></div></div></div>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:09:48 +0000Amy McLard1230 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/1230#commentsThree Federal Bills Introduced Would Impact Credit Unionshttps://heartlandcua.org/node/1163
<a href="/node/1163"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/LuetkemeyerBlaine.jpg?itok=_EJuwFpT" alt="Three Federal Bills Introduced Would Impact Credit Unions" title="Three Federal Bills Introduced Would Impact Credit Unions" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Federal lawmakers have introduced three bills in the U.S. House of Representatives that would impact credit unions . The bills, introduced between February 14 and 15, deal with member business lending, supplemental capital, and privacy notification requirements.</p>
<p>The new member business lending bill (MBL) is. H.R. 688 and was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)on February 14 . It would lift the credit union member business lending cap to 27.5% of assets, from the current 12.25%.</p>
<p>On the same day, U.S. Rep. Pete King (R-NY) and Brad Sherman (D-CA) reintroduced a bill that would permit the National Credit Union Administration to allow credit unions to accept additional forms of capital. The new supplemental capital legislation is H.R. 719.</p>
<p>Missouri U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-District 3) introduced H.R. 749, which amends the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act to provide an exception to the annual privacy notice requirement. The Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Sherman. It would eliminate the annual mailed privacy notice, and instead require financial institutions to provide notice only when a change takes place. The introduced version is identical to the bill that passed the House in 2012.</p>
<p>All three bills were previously introduced in the last Congress. Every two years, a new Congress takes effect and all bills must be reintroduced.</p>
<p><em>Pictured: U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-District 3)</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1162" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/616" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">supplemental capital</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1750" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">privacy notice confusion act</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1635" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. House of Representatives</a></div></div></div>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:43:12 +0000Amy McLard1163 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/1163#commentsBankers TAG Bill Dies in U.S. Senatehttps://heartlandcua.org/node/1044
<a href="/node/1044"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/teaserimage/thumb.png?itok=GrZAsnqv" alt="Bankers TAG Bill Dies in U.S. Senate" title="Bankers TAG Bill Dies in U.S. Senate" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In a major setback for the bank lobby,&nbsp; S. 3637, the banks’ Transaction Account Guarantee Program (TAG) bill,&nbsp;has died in the U.S. Senate.&nbsp; By a vote of 50-42&nbsp;on December 13, Senators voted against an effort to waive a Budget Point of Order for TAG.&nbsp; A vote of 60 was needed to overcome the point of order and take a vote on the bill itself. Missouri’s U.S. Senators split on the issue, with&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) voting in support and&nbsp; U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R) voting against.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The TAG legislation would have extended unlimited deposit insurance coverage granted during the financial crisis for noninterest bearing transaction accounts. Coverage is set to revert back to $250,000 at year's end without congressional action.</p>
<p>TAG was brought to the Senate floor without the Senate making a vote on S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act (the member business lending - MBL bill). Credit unions responded by lobbying&nbsp;against the TAG bill.&nbsp; <strong>The credit union call to action&nbsp;opposing TAG has&nbsp; ceased, effective December 13.&nbsp;</strong> The Missouri Credit Union Association (MCUA) will provide alerts and updates if additional grassroots action is needed.</p>
<p>Efforts continue&nbsp;on the national level to insert the&nbsp;MBL bill in other pieces of legislation before year-end, and the Credit Union National Association will monitor any&nbsp;efforts by the banking lobby regarding TAG.</p>
<p>"We sent a clear message to Missouri's U.S. Senators that no action on TAG should be taken without action on member business lending legislation," says Don Cohenour, MCUA interim president/CEO.&nbsp; "Thank you to&nbsp;everyone who&nbsp;called or wrote our Senators in conveying this important point."&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1579" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">TAG</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1596" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 3637</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div></div></div>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:26:43 +0000Amy McLard1044 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/1044#commentsMBL Call to Action: Call Senate Offices Following National Hike the Hill https://heartlandcua.org/node/998
<a href="/node/998"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/teaserimage/thumb.png?itok=GrZAsnqv" alt="MBL Call to Action: Call Senate Offices Following National Hike the Hill " title="MBL Call to Action: Call Senate Offices Following National Hike the Hill " /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Nine Missouri credit union representatives joined more than 500 credit union advocates and small business owners from across the country for National Hike the Hill on November 27-28 to make a final in-person grassroots push the for credit union member business lending legislation<strong>. </strong>&nbsp;Missouri participants included two business owners and a credit union lending officer to share the member business lending story.</p>
<p><strong>For everyone who was not able to visit Washington, D.C. for National Hike the Hill – the Missouri Credit Union Association asks for your help.&nbsp; </strong><strong>Call Missouri U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt and ask them to vote for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.&nbsp; </strong></p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);"><strong>TAKE ACTION:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Call: 202-224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard) OR 1-877-642-4223 (toll free).</strong></li>
<li>
<strong>Email:&nbsp; Please follow up your call with an email to both Senators and your U.S. Representative.&nbsp; Visit the </strong><a href="https://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal"><strong>Grassroots Action Center</strong></a><strong> and <u>personalize the email</u> in the system to reflect your credit union, why you are writing, and what this would mean for your community and the small business owners who need loans.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Credit Union National Association (CUNA) leaders continue to meet with and discuss this matter with staff and Senators, and the bill could come up at any time during the lame duck session.&nbsp;&nbsp;Credit unions are preparing for a vote – and your help to make that final push is needed.</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);"><strong>ABOUT THE BILL:</strong></span></p>
<p>S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act, will allow experienced business lending credit unions to continue to lend to their small business members.&nbsp; It would allow credit unions to lend an estimated additional $13 billion to small businesses in the first year, helping them to create more than 140,000 new jobs.&nbsp; In Missouri, that translates to $151.8 million in new business loans and 1,650 new jobs in the first year alone.</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);"><strong>BANKER OPPOSITION:</strong></span></p>
<p>The banker lobby is running anti-credit union advertisements on local radio and Capitol Hill publications.&nbsp;They also plan to be in Washington, D.C. during credit unions’ Hike the Hill to oppose our efforts.&nbsp; &nbsp;In response to these ads, CUNA sent the following message to chiefs of staff, legislative directors and Financial Services aides on the Hill today:</p>
<p><em>Subject:&nbsp; Those Bank Ads</em></p>
<p><em>Have you heard those radio ads the banks are running on WTOP?&nbsp; Have you seen those ads in Politico and Roll Call?&nbsp; </em></p>
<p><em>To hear them tell it, credit unions are an anathema!&nbsp; The reality, however, is that for every $1 that the credit union tax status costs, credit unions provide $10 to their members in the form of lower fees, lower loan rates, and higher returns.&nbsp; It’s an investment in America that benefits even those who do not belong to a credit union.</em></p>
<p><em>Frankly, the level to which the banking lobby has sunk is not new, but it is sad.&nbsp; For years, the banks’ message to Congress is:&nbsp; “Help us, but not credit unions.”&nbsp; And, they’ve asked for – and received – a lot from Congress over the years.&nbsp; </em></p>
<p><em>The banks took billions of dollars of taxpayer money through TARP.&nbsp; They were given access to even more taxpayer money to lend to small businesses.&nbsp; They have an ambitious lame duck strategy – seeking extension of taxpayer backed unlimited deposit insurance coverage through the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) Program.&nbsp; They will be back for more next year when the regulators finalize the Basel III regulations.&nbsp; </em></p>
<p><em>The opportunities for Congress to help the banks – big and small – never end.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em></p>
<p><em>But, the banking lobbyists are now asking Congress to do something that is just unimaginable.&nbsp; They want Congress to oppose expanded access to capital for small businesses.&nbsp; That’s right – they want Congress to oppose legislation (S. 2231 / H.R. 1418) that will make $13 billion in credit available to small businesses and help them create more than 140,000 new jobs in the first year.&nbsp; </em></p>
<p><em>The question for Congress is:&nbsp; should Congress enact the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act, expanding small business access to credit <strong>or</strong> should Congress yield to the lobbyists representing the banks that stopped lending during the crisis and force well-managed, experienced credit union business lenders to stop lending?</em></p>
<p><em>Congress put significant taxpayer resources toward saving the banks during the financial crisis; they provided taxpayer money to banks to encourage lending to small businesses.&nbsp; The banks have benefited from Congressional action and taxpayer subsidy, and they will be back for more.&nbsp; </em></p>
<p><em>Now, it’s time for Congress to make sure credit unions can continue to lend to their small business members.&nbsp; We encourage you to support the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</em></p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);"><strong>CONTACT SENATORS MCCASKILL AND BLUNT:</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Please call Missouri U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt and ask them to vote for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.&nbsp; </strong></p>
<p><strong>Call 202-224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard) OR 1-877-642-4223 (toll free).</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/564" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">H.R. 1418</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/883" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/176" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">call to action</a></div></div></div>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:11:24 +0000Amy McLard998 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/998#commentsBankers Target MBL Again in Senatehttps://heartlandcua.org/node/934
<a href="/node/934"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/teaserimage/thumb.png?itok=GrZAsnqv" alt="Bankers Target MBL Again in Senate" title="Bankers Target MBL Again in Senate" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Credit unions are in the final push to pass member business lending legislation in the U.S. Senate and House, and bankers are again targeting U.S. Senate offices to oppose the measure.&nbsp; U.S. Senate bill S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Bill and U.S. House bill H.R. 1418, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act, would raise the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25% to 27.5% of assets.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) contacted all Senate offices on October 23, stating that Congress should not increase the MBL cap because of 1,003 federal charter credit unions that are now eligible for the Low-Income Credit Union (LICU) designation.&nbsp; The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) notified these credit unions of their eligibility in August.</p>
<p>The Credit Union National Association responded with information about the member business lending impact of the LICU designation.&nbsp; CUNA stated, in part:</p>
<p><em>The banks would have you believe that NCUA’s recent letter to 1,000 federally-chartered credit unions notifying them that they could be eligible to receive a “low income” designation from the regulator has, in effect, magically relieved Congress of the need to enact legislation permitting the credit unions with the most business lending experience to continue to lend to their small business members.&nbsp; Nothing could be further from the truth:&nbsp; </em></p>
<ul>
<li>
<em>Of the 1,000 credit unions that received the NCUA letter and deemed eligible for the Low Income Credit Union (LICU) designation<strong>, 774 are not offering any business loan products</strong>. </em></li>
<li>
<em>There are 503 credit unions actively affected by the credit union member business lending cap, meaning they are making decisions today about how to manage the cap, and in some cases, they are turning away new and existing business members.</em></li>
<li>
<strong><em>Of the credit unions eligible for LICU status, only 34 are close enough to the cap that accepting this designation could mean much needed near term relief from the business lending cap.&nbsp; </em></strong></li>
<li>
&nbsp;<em>That leaves 469 of 503 credit unions that still need their cap raised.&nbsp; </em></li>
<li>
<em>Recall that CUNA estimates that raising the 12.25% cap to 27.5% would produce a conservatively-estimated first-year increase of $14 billion in loans and 157,000 jobs nationally.&nbsp; Further examination of the 1,000 LICU CUs reveals that these credit unions represent less than 8% of the 157,000 new jobs and less than 8% of the $14 billion in additional lending that we are estimating with a cap increase.</em></li>
<li>
<em>Finally, any credit union that adopts LICU status will find that the MBL cap waiver is not necessarily a solution – that’s because LICU status can change over time:&nbsp; Any credit union that loses LICU status – for example, due to changing demographics in the areas in which they operate - will lose the MBL cap waiver.</em></li>
</ul>
<p>“Credit unions are NEVER going to apologize for trying to serve consumers, especially low-income ones,” says Don Cohenour, Missouri Credit Union Association interim president/CEO.&nbsp; “The MBL bill is still needed for Missouri small business owners who need more – not less – lending options, and to allow the credit unions that stand ready to help them fill that need.” &nbsp;</p>
<h4>
<strong>Take Action</strong></h4>
<p>A call to action is coming soon for credit union contacts to all Missouri U.S. House and Senate offices regarding member business lending to take effect.&nbsp; Please watch Missouri Difference and email notices for more details.</p>
<p>A National Hike the Hill is scheduled for November 27-28 in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;&nbsp; Missouri credit union leaders and small business owners are asked to participate.&nbsp; It is the Tuesday and Wednesday immediately following Thanksgiving.</p>
<p><strong>Schedule of events:</strong><br />
<strong>Tuesday, November 27</strong><br />
Fly in<br />
Hill visits as needed (scheduled by MCUA)<br />
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Legislative Briefing – Senate Russell Building, Kennedy Room 325</p>
<p>6:30-8 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Reception</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, November 28</strong><br />
8:30 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Briefing at Credit Union House (if unable to participate in 11/27 briefing)<br />
All Day&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hill visits (as scheduled by MCUA)<br />
6 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Debriefing and Reception (if able to attend)<br />
After&nbsp; 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fly home</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);"><strong>RSVPs are needed by November 5 (earlier if possible). </strong></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Please inform MCUA if your credit union will be able to participate in the National Hike the Hill on November 27-28, and if you will be able to include a small business owner in this Hike. &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>There are several hotel blocks available on a first-come, first-served basis.</strong></p>
<p>Contact <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20participation">Amy </a><a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20question">McLard</a> via email or 314.542.1370 with your Hike the Hill plans or any questions regarding National Hike the Hill.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1212" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">LICU</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/185" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">NCUA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1460" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">National Hike the Hill</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div></div></div>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:31:09 +0000Amy McLard934 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/934#commentsNational Hike the Hill Focus on MBL: Missouri Attendees Needed November 27-28https://heartlandcua.org/node/924
<a href="/node/924"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/HikeTheHill-logo.jpg?itok=jGvjQAfL" alt="National Hike the Hill Focus on MBL: Missouri Attendees Needed November 27-28" title="National Hike the Hill Focus on MBL: Missouri Attendees Needed November 27-28" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In Missouri and across the country, credit unions are focusing on the final push&nbsp;to pass&nbsp;member business lending (MBL) legislation. &nbsp;Time is running out and all efforts are needed.&nbsp; If member business lending is not passed by the end of the year, MBL will have to be reintroduced when the new Congress takes&nbsp;office and the process must start all over again.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Missouri credit union leaders and small business owners are asked to participate in a National Hike the Hill on November 27-28 in Washington, D.C. &nbsp;&nbsp;It is the Tuesday and Wednesday immediately following Thanksgiving. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p>“We cannot leave a single stone unturned in our effort to win the vote when it comes up,” stated Credit Union National Association President/CEO Bill Cheney in a message to credit unions.&nbsp; “I know it’s another trip (after so many trips this year), but this is our last and best chance to pass the member business lending in this Congress. “</p>
<p>“That means you need to come. Credit union lending officers need to be here too. So, especially, do those who have the best stories to tell: Credit union small business-owning/borrowing members.”</p>
<p>The member business lending bill would raise the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25% to 27.5% of assets.&nbsp; The U.S. Senate bill is S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Bill (formerly S. 509) and the U.S. House bill is H.R. 1418, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act.</p>
<p>Here is the tentative schedule of events:</p>
<p><strong>Tuesday, November 27</strong><br />
Fly in<br />
Hill visits as needed (scheduled by MCUA)<br />
6 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp; Legislative Briefing, followed by reception</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, November 28</strong><br />
All Day - Hill Visits (as scheduled by MCUA)<br />
6 p.m. – Debriefing and Reception (if able to attend)<br />
Fly home</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(165, 42, 42);"><strong>RSVPs are&nbsp;needed by November 5.&nbsp; </strong></span>Please inform MCUA if your credit union will be able to participate in the National Hike the Hill on November 27-28, and if you will be able to include a small business owner in this Hike.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Contact <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20participation">Amy </a><a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20question">McLard</a><a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20question"> </a>via email or 314.542.1370 with this information or any questions regarding National Hike the Hill.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1460" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">National Hike the Hill</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/771" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Washington</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1461" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">D.C.</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/126" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Legislative visits</a></div></div></div>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:24:03 +0000Amy McLard924 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/924#commentsCredit Unions Highlight Access to Capital for Small Businesshttps://heartlandcua.org/node/830
<a href="/node/830"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/MCUA_076.jpg?itok=Y2_ckT6R" alt="Credit Unions Highlight Access to Capital for Small Business" title="Credit Unions Highlight Access to Capital for Small Business" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Attention on Capitol Hill will focus on credit union member business lending this week, and Missouri credit unions have the opportunity to take part. Key Senate and House supporters of the Credit Union Small Business Jobs legislation and small business coalition partners will join the Credit Union National Association on September 12 for a policy briefing titled “Access to Capital for Small Business.” The event is designed to highlight the importance of credit union business lending legislation to congressional staff members.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Missouri credit unions can participate in this presentation through live-streaming on the Internet. It will also be made available to all Senate and House offices. The event begins at 12:30 CST and is expected to last one hour. To view the policy briefing, visit:&nbsp; <a href="http://thehill.com/">http://thehill.com/</a></p>
<p>The event is presented in partnership with <em>The Hill</em>, a newspaper covering Congress and the Capitol Hill community in Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) are the featured speakers. In addition, think tank leaders Rhett Buttle of The Small Business Majority and Eli Lehrer of the R Street Institute will present a joint research report focusing on job growth, the role small business plays in the economy and the support that credit unions can offer to small business in the economy’s recovery with expanded business lending authority</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1326" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Access to Capital for Small Business</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1327" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">policy hearing</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div></div></div>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:24:49 +0000Amy McLard830 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/830#commentsCosponsors Grow After Missouri Credit Unions Hike the Hillhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/706
<a href="/node/706"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/Carnahan-GroupWEB.jpg?itok=lrKt2igl" alt="Cosponsors Grow After Missouri Credit Unions Hike the Hill" title="Cosponsors Grow After Missouri Credit Unions Hike the Hill" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h4>
<strong>Cosponsors Grow After Missouri Credit Unions Hike the Hill</strong></h4>
<p>Missouri cosponsors to key bills affecting credit unions grew after Missouri credit union representatives make visits to Capitol Hill.&nbsp; Lawmakers added their names to several bills impacting credit unions.</p>
<p>Brian Eyestone from Southpointe Credit Union and Pat Yokley from CommunityAmerica Credit Union, together with Amy McLard and John McKechnie with the Missouri Credit Union Association, focused lawmakers’ attention on key concerns for credit unions during Hike the Hill.&nbsp; It took place June 25-27.</p>
<p>Member business lending was the main topic during a meeting with Senator Roy Blunt (R).&nbsp;</p>
<p>“Credit unions are in a situation where if they are too close to the lending cap, they have to refer business owners to other financial institutions – and we work with both credit unions and banks &nbsp;to see if they are able to assist,” explained Pat Yokley.&nbsp; “Helping those business owners get the loan they need is a priority.”</p>
<p>Missouri Hike the Hill included visits to every office in the Missouri Congressional delegation and a meeting with the National Credit Union Administration executive director.&nbsp; Participants also witnessed a mark-up hearing with the House Financial Services Committee as the ATM disclosure bill (H.R. 4367) was approved to move forward for a House vote.&nbsp; House members overwhelmingly approved the measure on July 9 by a vote of 371-0.&nbsp; It now must be voted on by the Senate.</p>
<p>“It was great to see how the whole process works,” says Eyestone, who participated for the first time in Hike the Hill visits. “I would encourage anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to attend a Hike the Hill event to do so. It is not only a learning experience, but it shows our legislators that we care enough about credit union issues to visit them in person.”</p>
<p>Below, find a list of the issues discussed during Hike the Hill visits, along with the Missouri cosponsors for each bill:</p>
<p><strong>S.2231 – Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act (formerly S. 509) and </strong><strong>H.R. 1418 – Small Business Lending Enhancement Act </strong><br />
Missouri cosponsors: Clay (District 1); Akin (District 2); Carnahan (District 3)</p>
<p>This bill increases the member business lending cap from 12.25 to 27.5% of total assets for credit unions that fit certain specifications.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Supplemental Capital</strong><br />
<strong>H.R. 3993 - Capital Access for Small Business and Jobs Act</strong><br />
Missouri cosponsors: Clay (District 1); Carnahan (District 3)</p>
<p>This bill allows access to supplemental capital to enable credit unions to enhance their service to members without jeopardizing the strong capital cushion that provides safety and soundness.</p>
<p><strong>Examination Fairness </strong><br />
<strong>S. 2160 </strong><strong>and H.R. 3461 - Financial Institution Examination Fairness and Reform Act</strong><br />
Missouri cosponsors: Clay (District 1); Akin (District 2); Cleaver (District 5); Graves (District 6); Emerson (District 8)</p>
<p>The bill would make available to all financial institutions the information used to make decisions in their examination; codify certain examination policy guidance; establish an ombudsman at the Federal Financial Institution Examination Council (FFIEC) to which financial institutions could raise concerns with respect to their examination; and establish an appeals process before an independent administrative law judge</p>
<p><strong>ATM Disclosure </strong><br />
<strong>H.R. 4367 and S. 3204</strong><br />
Missouri cosponsors: McCaskill (Senate); Blunt (Senate); Clay (District 1); Hartzler (District 4); Cleaver (District 5); Graves (District 6); Long (District 7); Emerson (District 8); Luetkemeyer (District 9) [original sponsor]</p>
<p>Under current law, financial institutions which operate ATMS are required to provide two separate notices – one physical and one electronic –regarding ATM fees that may be assessed during any transaction.&nbsp; This legislation clarifies that only the electronic disclosure is required.&nbsp; Credit unions support this legislation. On July 9, H.R. 4367 passed the U.S. House by a vote of 371-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act</strong><br />
<strong>H.R. 5817</strong><br />
Missouri cosponsors: Graves (District 6); Long (District 7); Luetkemeyer (District 9) [original sponsor]</p>
<p>Financial institutions are required to give annual privacy notices each year, even if their privacy policies have not changed. H.R. 5817 requires credit unions and other financial institutions to provide information to their members only if they have changes any policy or practice related to the privacy of the member.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Photos, left to right, top to bottom:&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
1)&nbsp; Amy McLard, Pat Yokley, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-District 9) and Brian Eyestone meet in the Financial Services Committee Room following the ATM disclosure bill mark-up hearing on June 27.<br />
2) Pat Yokley, U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-District 1), Brian Eyestone and Amy McLard (seated)<br />
3) Brian Eyestone, U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-District 3) and Amy McLard<br />
4) Brian Eyestone, U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-District 7) and Amy McLard<br />
5) Amy McLard, Brian Eyestone and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-District 8)<br />
6) Brian Eyestone,&nbsp;U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-District 4),&nbsp;Amy McLard and Pat Yokley<br />
7) Congressman Luetkemeyer meets with Missouri Hike the Hill participants on June 26.<br />
8) Amy McLard, David Marquis (NCUA Executive Director), Brian Eyestone and Pat Yokley<br />
9) Pat Yokley, Jamie Hollenberg (Sen. Roy Blunt staff), Bill Cheney (CUNA President/CEO), Brian Eyestone and Amy McLard</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/370" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Missouri Hike the Hill</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1048" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Senator Roy Blunt</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1157" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1158" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1159" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1160" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Billy Long</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1161" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1162" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div></div></div>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:16:39 +0000Amy McLard706 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/706#commentsSpringfield Media Highlights Need for Credit Union Small Business Lendinghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/626
<a href="/node/626"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/KiddieKart-SPRMtg-WEB.jpg?itok=i_hZGNuL" alt="Springfield Media Highlights Need for Credit Union Small Business Lending" title="Springfield Media Highlights Need for Credit Union Small Business Lending" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h4>
<strong>Springfield Media Highlights Need for Credit Union Small Business Lending</strong></h4>
<p>Credit union business lending is getting media attention in the Springfield region.&nbsp; Recently, both KOLR-TV and the <em>Springfield Business Journal</em> highlighted the difficulties local businesses faced in getting loans from banks, and how credit unions were able to step in to help.</p>
<p>The KOLR-TV article focused on Shawn Motlagh, the owner of Rosati’s Pizza, and Justin Hurst, who runs his family’s Kiddie Kart ice cream truck business.</p>
<p>"First I tried some of&nbsp;the banks, and was just&nbsp;turned down," explained&nbsp;Motlagh.&nbsp; "The loan&nbsp;was too small, They didn't want anything to do with it."</p>
<p>“My grandpa actually just started it as an entrepreneurial idea, and just kind of ran with it,” stated Hurst.&nbsp; “He basically said, ‘I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the credit unions, because I got turned down by the banks.”</p>
<p>CU Community President/CEO Judy Hadsall was also interviewed.&nbsp; CU Community provided a recent loan for Kiddie Kart, and is nearing the 12.25% cap for credit union business lending.&nbsp; A bill in the U.S. Senate, S. 2231 - the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act - would raise the limit to 27.5% of a credit union’s assets.</p>
<p>“Somebody needs to help these small business people get started and get on their feet and grow this economy back to where it needs to be,” stated Hadsall.</p>
<p>The <em>Springfield Business Journal</em> highlighted Motlagh’s pizza business.&nbsp; The article shared how he ran into difficulties getting a loan from a bank, but was helped by Assemblies of God Credit Union (AGCU).&nbsp; The credit union is right at the business lending cap.</p>
<p>“We have had to turn down multiple borrowers due to being at the regulatory limit,” explained AGCU President/CEO Paul Ebisch. “We refer them to local community banks and other credit unions.”</p>
<p><a href="http://sbj.net/main.asp?Search=1&amp;ArticleID=91817&amp;SectionID=48&amp;SubSectionID=108&amp;S=1">Click here</a> to read the <em>Springfield Business Journal</em> article, and <a href="http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=650362">click here</a> to read and view the TV news coverage.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/883" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/882" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Assemblies of God Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/891" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">CU Community Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1045" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Rosati&#039;s Pizza</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1046" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Kiddie Kart</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1009" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">small business owners</a></div></div></div>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:12:32 +0000Amy McLard626 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/626#commentsBusiness Lending Spotlight: First Communityhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/547
<a href="/node/547"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/ApricotLane2-FirstComm-WEB.jpg?itok=tYbQozwM" alt="Business Lending Spotlight: First Community" title="Business Lending Spotlight: First Community" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>This is a series of stories highlighting&nbsp;credit unions making small business loans&nbsp;in Missouri and the need for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</em></p>
<h3>
<strong>First Community Credit Union</strong></h3>
<p>First Community was established in 1934 as the Monsanto Credit Union to serve Monsanto employees. In the late 1970s, the credit union expanded its field of membership to serve other companies and communities.&nbsp; To reflect the larger community being served with the field of membership changes, it became First Community Credit Union in 1983.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The credit union now serves individuals who live or work in the Missouri communities of St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, Warren County, and the Illinois counties of Madison, Monroe and St. Clair. &nbsp;With more than 77 years in business, First Community Credit Union has nearly $2 billion in assets and 36 locations including 12 inside metro-area Walmart stores.&nbsp;</p>
<p>One area of&nbsp;focus&nbsp;is providing small business loans and working with the&nbsp;Small Business Administration (SBA).&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact,&nbsp;First&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Credit Union&nbsp;just&nbsp;won the award for the SBA’s Credit Union of the Year award for St. Louis.</p>
<p>Here are some of the small businesses that First Community Credit Union is helping:</p>
<h3>
<strong>An Outlet for Artists</strong><br />
<strong>Michael Hoffman, Owner, Michael Hoffman Zoecat Studio</strong></h3>
<p>Michael Hoffman is an artist based in the Maplewood area who works to help others gain an audience for their work.&nbsp; Michael wanted to purchase the building he was currently located in, which was being foreclosed on with his current landlord.&nbsp; A $70,000 SBA loan through First Community Credit Union allowed Michael to purchase the building.</p>
<p>Today, Michael Hoffman Zoecat Studio allows Michael to promote and sell his artwork to brokers and art galleries, while also actively promoting other artists in the area through receptions and gallery events. &nbsp;</p>
<h3>
<strong>Bringing Style Home</strong><br />
<strong>Angie Nichols and Becky Stark, Owners, Apricot Lane Boutique</strong></h3>
<p>Angie Nichols and Becky Stark wanted to open women’s retail clothing and accessory boutique, and decided to team up with a national franchise, Apricot Lane.&nbsp; They started the process of obtaining a loan from a bank, but the process moved much more quickly with First Community Credit Union.&nbsp; The $70,000 SBA loan from First Community went towards acquisition costs, equipment, inventory and working capital.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Since opening its doors in May, 2011, the company has hired eight part-time workers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>“Working with First Community Credit Union (FFCU) has been an excellent experience,” says Angie and Becky.&nbsp; “FCCU made the entire small business loan process easy and painless.&nbsp; All the people we dealt with were friendly and very knowledgeable.”</p>
<h3>
<strong>TAKE ACTION for these small business owners:</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Credit unions in the St. Louis Chapter:</strong>&nbsp; Make contacts by phone, by email, and/or in person on April 26, highlighting the small business lending efforts and asking for support of S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</p>
<p><span face="">• </span><a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal"><span face="">Grassroots Action Center</span></a><span face=""> (please be sure to register BEFORE writing your email)<br />
• 1-877-642-4223<br />
• Credit union presidents and small business owners are encouraged to make contacts directly to McCaskill and Blunt key staff members&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span face=""><strong>PLEASE NOTE</strong>:&nbsp; To give credit for calls and emails made outside of the <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center </a>and 877 number, please share those contacts made with <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org">Amy McLard</a></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/883" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/939" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">First Community Credit Union</a></div></div></div>Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000Amy McLard547 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/547#commentsBusiness Lending Spotlight: United Credit Unionhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/546
<a href="/node/546"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/Bagby-UnitedCU-WEB.jpg?itok=RC-mCKk9" alt="Business Lending Spotlight: United Credit Union" title="Business Lending Spotlight: United Credit Union" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>This is a series of stories highlighting&nbsp;credit unions making small business loans&nbsp;in Missouri and the need for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</em></p>
<h3>
<strong>United Credit Union</strong></h3>
<p>When a small group of people at the A.P. Green Fire Brick Company in Mexico, Missouri put up $2,296 to form a credit union that was state chartered on May 2, 1935, they had no idea they were starting a multimillion-dollar financial institution that would one day serve more than 18,000 members.&nbsp; Walter G. Staley, who was in charge of company personnel matters, urged the board of directors to provide employees with an opportunity to develop savings and that a credit union would protect the employees from high interest rates charged by local loan companies.</p>
<p>And so, Greenco Credit Union began with a $25 loan to serve company employees.&nbsp; In 1983, Greenco Credit Union expanded membership to anyone residing in Audrain County or any of the seven adjoining counties.&nbsp; The credit union became United Credit Union (UCU) in 1985.</p>
<p>A focus on the needs of the community is important to UCU, both on the individual and credit union level.&nbsp; UCU employees volunteer for organizations like Next Step Tutoring and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). The credit union provides free financial material to all the area schools, and staff members make countless presentations to local organizations.</p>
<p>Based on demand, United&nbsp;Credit&nbsp;Union began offering member business loans in 2006 to fill&nbsp;a need in their community. The credit union supports S. 2231, which expands the limits on business lending from 12.25 to 27.5% of assets, in order to help even more members who have dreams of small business success.</p>
<p>“S.2231 will create jobs in the state of Missouri and across the country.&nbsp; This bill really is about giving the consumers a ‘choice’ of where they want to conduct their small business lending,” points out United Credit Union President/CEO Brent Sadler.&nbsp; “Credit unions have proven they are a viable option and have the ability to help the small business owners.&nbsp; The bankers want to continue to keep the strangle hold on the near monopoly of this type of lending, leaving many with nowhere to turn unless this bill is passed.&nbsp; I strongly encourage our legislators to stand up and do the right thing by co-sponsoring and voting yes on S.2231 thus putting Missourians and others back to work. “&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3>
<strong>Delivering Service</strong><br />
<strong>Chris Albus, Owner, Albus Express</strong></h3>
<p>Businesses and individuals in the Jefferson City area can count on Albus Express, Inc.to pick up and deliver packages locally.&nbsp; And owner Chris Albus counts on United Credit Union to help with his small business needs.</p>
<p>Chris started the business in 2005 as Albus Transportation LLC., and then changed the name to Albus Express Inc. in 2011. He was using a bank, but the fees kept getting higher – just as fuel prices were also increasing. “This had an effect on my business,” explains Chris, “and when I would call the bank to ask about the fees, no one could explain them to me.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>Chris contacted United Credit Union, which was able to help with all of his business needs, including a larger line of credit.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“As a small business owner it is very important that we have many options available for us,” says Chris.&nbsp; “I am very pleased that I now have a place for my business accounts where I feel welcome.”</p>
<p>He supports S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act, and hopes Congress takes action soon.&nbsp; “As a small business owner I feel that I should be able to make my own financial decisions,” says Chris.&nbsp; “And my credit union should be able to help support me and my community with all our lending needs.”</p>
<h3>
<strong>Providing Quality Housing at Affordable Prices</strong><br />
<strong>Francis Bagby, Jr., Owner, Bagby Enterprises, LLC</strong></h3>
<p>Francis Bagby, Jr. buys, rehabs, maintains, rents and sells properties in the Mexico, Missouri area.&nbsp; Three years ago, Francis had an opportunity to expand his business and offer a wider variety of affordable housing to local residents – and went to the local banks first.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“When our search revealed these banks were unwilling to loan our small business the required funds, I contacted our local credit union, United, to discuss our needs,” explains Bagby.&nbsp; “As I finished my business proposal, I realized I had found a financial partner who understood both our business model and the positive impact our small business would make in the local community.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>As a result of the financial help from United Credit Union, Bagby has hired three full time and four part time employees and spent nearly $100,000 using local contractors – creating jobs and putting money back into the local economy.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;He is frustrated by the limits on credit union business lending.</p>
<p>“If our credit union were not restricted from providing additional funding, we would continue to expand our business, create jobs and make additional contributions to our community,” says Bagby.</p>
<h3>
<strong>TAKE ACTION for these small business owners:</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Credit unions outside of Kansas City and St. Louis Chapter:</strong>&nbsp; Make contacts by phone, by email, and/or in person on April 26, highlighting the small business lending efforts&nbsp; and asking for support of S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</p>
<p>• <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center</a> (please be sure to register BEFORE writing your email)<br />
• 1-877-642-4223<br />
• Credit union presidents and small business owners are encouraged to make contacts directly to McCaskill and Blunt key staff members</p>
<p><strong>PLEASE NOTE</strong>:&nbsp; To give credit for calls and emails made outside of the <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center </a>and 877 number, please share those contacts made with <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org">Amy McLard</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/883" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/938" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">United Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/596" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">small business</a></div></div></div>Tue, 08 May 2012 21:19:05 +0000Amy McLard546 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/546#commentsBusiness Lending Spotlight: CommunityAmerica Credit Unionhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/535
<a href="/node/535"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/LanoCompany-CACU-WEB.jpg?itok=Ph2mN3EA" alt="Business Lending Spotlight: CommunityAmerica Credit Union" title="Business Lending Spotlight: CommunityAmerica Credit Union" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>This is a series of stories highlighting&nbsp;credit unions making small business loans&nbsp;in Missouri and the need for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</em></p>
<h3>
<strong>CommunityAmerica Credit Union</strong></h3>
<p>CommunityAmerica Credit Union has deep roots in the Kansas City community and, based on deposits, ranks as one of the top 10 Kansas City-based financial institutions. It was founded in 1940 as TWA Club Credit Union with working capital of just $1,069. By the end of the first year, the credit union had grown to have more than $20,000 in assets and 644 members.&nbsp; By year end 2011, CommunityAmerica served more than 168,000 members and had more than $1.8 billion in assets, ranking it among the nation's largest credit unions. &nbsp;</p>
<p>CommunityAmerica serves residents of Missouri who live or work in Jackson, Clay, Platte and St. Charles* counties, as well as certain zip codes in the St. Louis area. In Kansas, field of membership includes residents of Douglas, Johnson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Miami, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties and their family members, as well as associations and businesses located in Johnson and Douglas counties.&nbsp; Today, there are 32 CommunityAmerica branches in the Kansas City, St. Louis and Topeka areas.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As the credit union has grown, it provides expanded services addressing the needs of its members - including business lending opportunities.</p>
<p>“Business lending helps small businesses succeed, providing them the capital they need to execute on a solid business plan, but more importantly, to achieve their dreams,” says Dennis Pierce, CEO of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Small business lending helps business owners provide much needed jobs and funds the tax base, jumpstarting the local economy and helping Missouri thrive.”<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<h3>
<strong>A Soothing Solution</strong><br />
<strong>Miranda Coggins, Owner, The Lano Company</strong></h3>
<p>LanoLip inventor Miranda Coggins suffered from chronic chapped lips. While nursing her daughter, she used lanolin-based products to ease the discomfort and soreness associated with breastfeeding. Shortly after this discovery, Miranda’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. In January 2006, she created several lip balm prototypes over her kitchen stovetop. After testing with friends and family, The Lano Company was officially born.</p>
<p>“Entrepreneurial spirit alone would not have led to my success,” says Coggins. “To expand beyond the kitchen stove, I needed financial backing from a financial institution who not only had money to lend, but was willing to partner in my success.”</p>
<p>Enter CommunityAmerica Credit Union.&nbsp; “CommunityAmerica stepped up when others wouldn’t to help me get the boost I needed,” adds Coggins. “Now I have a million dollar mega business that is thriving. I can’t imagine not seeing this dream come to fruition, but it simply wouldn’t have without the support of CommunityAmerica.”</p>
<h3>
<strong>Providing Hope</strong><br />
<strong>The Healing House</strong></h3>
<p><span face="">Healing House provides a faith-based and stable home environment&nbsp;to more than 70 men and women who are separated from their families due to their addiction problems.&nbsp; It offers a safe, structured and loving home, and gives hope to those who once felt hopeless.</span></p>
<p><span face="">“Providing hope and solutions is integral to the mission and success of The Healing House,” says Executive Director Bobbi Jo Reed. “I understand that all too well because hope, solutions and support were critical to keep this effort alive.”</span></p>
<p><span face="">In 2007, the banks Bobbi Jo worked with to keep the Healing House in operation decided they would no longer lend her money for this important service. &nbsp;She was left without funding.</span></p>
<p><span face="">"I felt hopeless,” adds Bobbi, “because financial support was the only way I would be able to keep these homes operational and this dream alive. I’m so thankful for CommunityAmerica, who saw the importance of this to the community and provided us the financing needed to continue. They talked to me like a friend, not a banker, and worked with me to see this vision to fruition.”</span></p>
<p><span face="">Financial support through CommunityAmerica Credit Union has allowed the Healing House to expand to more locations - changing countless lives and transforming communities as a result.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3>
<strong>TAKE ACTION&nbsp;for these small business owners:</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Credit unions in the &nbsp;Kansas City Chapter:</strong>&nbsp; Make contacts by phone, by email, and/or in person on April 26, highlighting the small business lending efforts &nbsp;and asking for support of S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</p>
<p>• <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center</a> (please be sure to register BEFORE writing your email)<br />
• 1-877-642-4223<br />
• Credit union presidents and small business owners are encouraged to make contacts directly to McCaskill and Blunt key staff members</p>
<p><strong>PLEASE NOTE</strong>:&nbsp; To give credit for calls and emails made outside of the <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center </a>and 877 number, please share those contacts made with <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org">Amy McLard</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/922" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">CommunityAmerica Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/923" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/596" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">small business</a></div></div></div>Mon, 07 May 2012 15:15:35 +0000Amy McLard535 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/535#commentsBusiness Lending Profile: BluCurrent Credit Unionhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/531
<a href="/node/531"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/PlatoCloset-BluCurrent.jpg?itok=dqy7TXnJ" alt="Business Lending Profile: BluCurrent Credit Union" title="Business Lending Profile: BluCurrent Credit Union" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>This is a series of stories highlighting credit unions making small business loans in Missouri, and the need for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</em></p>
<h3>
<strong>BluCurrent Credit Union </strong></h3>
<p>In 1929, BluCurrent Credit Union opened their doors to service a handful of postal employees under the name of Springfield Postal Employees Credit Union. Over the years, they have grown from that handful of employees to more than 18,000 members.</p>
<p>Today, BluCurrent serves a 10-county area in southwest Missouri. Membership is also open to any employee or member of a qualifying Select Employee Group, or any active or retired postal, federal or military employee living in a qualifying county.</p>
<p>The credit union started focusing on business lending about a year ago, and is seeing rapid demand for these services. </p>
<p>“We were looking at ways we could help more members of our credit union and members of the community, and also have more loans on our books,” says BluCurrent Credit Union President/CEO Steve Pierson. “When you bring deposits in, if you don’t loan them back out, you invest them. Interest rates are very low right now, so it makes it an advantage … to loan out as much as we can to increase earnings, which we give back to our members.”</p>
<p>It’s gratifying for credit union staff to be part of an effort to move the economy forward and help others.</p>
<p>“I got in to the lending profession because I wanted to help people,” notes Vice President of Business Lending Brian Roy. “Moving from the banking industry into the credit union world has given me the chance to do this much more. I love that the entire philosophy of credit unions is to help people succeed, and it’s small business owners like Shane Rudminat and Doug and Ann Dahl who define why we do what we do.”</p>
<p>Here are a few of the small business owners being helped by BluCurrent Credit Union:</p>
<h3>
<strong>Small Snacks Lead to Business Growth</strong><br /><strong>Shane Rudminat, Owner, Grace Vending, LLC</strong></h3>
<p>When you need a snack, you can count on Shane Rudminat and his company to help. Shane is the owner of Grace Vending, LLC, a snack and soda vending machine company based in Republic, Missouri. Shane started the company in 2009 as a part-time venture with 26 vending machines.</p>
<p>In spring of 2011, Shane came to BluCurrent Credit Union for a loan to purchase an additional 54 vending machines, growing his business - both in number of machines and by adding an additional $36,000 to his bottom line. Because it was a smaller loan and the nature of his business, local banks were not interested in providing a loan to Shane. Thankfully, BluCurrent Credit Union was there to help. </p>
<p>Today, Grace Vending, LLC has 83 snack and beverage machines located in a wide variety of businesses, including schools, colleges, retail stores, apartment buildings, subdivision pools, and the United States Reserve Center.<br />
</p>
<h3>
<strong>Fulfilling a Dream of Business Ownership<br />
Doug</strong><strong> and Ann Dahl, Owners, Plato’s Closet</strong></h3>
<p>
Doug Dahl and his wife, Ann, had always dreamed of owning their own business. While Doug worked as a long-time employee in sales at Southwestern Bell Corporation, the couple spent years researching options and business opportunities. They decided to open a local branch of Plato’s Closet in Joplin, a resale shop that specializes in buying and selling used brand name clothing and accessories for teen and twenty-something guys and girls.</p>
<p>Many of the funds needed for the business were for startup costs, which can sometimes create obstacles to obtain financing. The Dahls came to BluCurrent Credit Union after a friend recommended they try the credit union. With their credit history, financial position and excellent business plan, the Dahls were able to get the loan they needed from BluCurrent Credit Union to fulfill their dream and become business owners.</p>
<h3>
</h3><p> <strong>TAKE ACTION for these small business owners:</strong>
</p><p><strong>Credit unions outside of Kansas City and St. Louis Chapter:</strong> Make contacts with U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt by phone, by email, and/or in person, highlighting the small business lending efforts and asking for support of S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</p>
<p>
• <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center</a> (please be sure to register BEFORE writing your email)<br />
• 1-877-642-4223<br />
• Credit union presidents and small business owners are encouraged to make contacts directly to McCaskill and Blunt key staff members.</p>
<p><strong>PLEASE NOTE</strong>: To give credit for calls and emails made outside of the <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center </a>and 877 number, please share those contacts made with <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org">Amy McLard</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/919" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BluCurrent Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/596" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">small business</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/883" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div></div></div>Fri, 04 May 2012 14:05:00 +0000Amy McLard531 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/531#commentsBusiness Lending Spotlight: Anheuser-Busch Employees' Credit Unionhttps://heartlandcua.org/node/527
<a href="/node/527"><img class="teaserimage" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://heartlandcua.org/sites/default/files//styles/thumbnail/public/Article%20Images/FoxRiverDairy-ABECU-WEB.jpg?itok=wMev87DM" alt="Business Lending Spotlight: Anheuser-Busch Employees&#039; Credit Union" title="Business Lending Spotlight: Anheuser-Busch Employees&#039; Credit Union" /></a><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>This is part of a series of stories highlighting&nbsp;credit unions making small business loans&nbsp;in Missouri and the need for S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</em></p>
<h3>
<strong>Anheuser-Busch&nbsp;Employees’ Credit Union</strong></h3>
<p>Anheuser-Busch Employees’ Credit Union (ABECU) was founded in February 1939, near the end of the Depression, and started with eight members and $55 in assets. After two years, the credit union had 700 members and $37,000 in assets.&nbsp; Today, ABECU serves 114,000 members and has $1.3 billion in assets. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The credit union originally served the financial needs of the employees and retirees of Anheuser-Busch companies, wholly-owned subsidiaries and select distributors and their immediate family members.&nbsp; In 1997, ABECU introduced American Eagle Credit Union, its community division serving all those who live or work in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as two counties in Illinois.</p>
<p>ABECU has 28 branches, including 11 in the St. Louis metropolitan area. No matter the changes in membership and size, the core purpose of ABECU remains to help its members achieve financial success. &nbsp;</p>
<p>And that includes small business owners. Here are a few of the people ABECU is helping with small business efforts:</p>
<h3>
<strong>Promoting Local Producers</strong><br />
<strong>Dan and Ken Probst, Owners, Fox River Dairy</strong></h3>
<p>A family-owned business in operation since 1910, Fox River Dairy specializes in wholesale food service.&nbsp; Brothers Dan and Ken Probst have owned Fox River Dairy since 1995, and have tripled the company’s sales during that time.&nbsp; The company works with 12 local producers of artisan food products that are sold exclusively to its clients, which include fine hotels, country clubs, restaurants and caterers.&nbsp; One of the keys to Fox River Dairy’s success is their approach, “anything, anytime and no minimum order.”</p>
<p>Long-time members of Anheuser-Busch Employees’ Credit Union (ABECU), Fox River Dairy still maintained bank accounts elsewhere.&nbsp; In 2010, Fox River Dairy had the opportunity to expand into a warehouse space that would double their capabilities.&nbsp; When Dan and Ken approached their bank, “We were immediately told ‘Don’t even ask, we aren’t lending anything to anyone,’” explains Dan Probst.</p>
<p>They turned to ABECU for help, and were struck by the credit union’s focus on people, not just dollars and cents.</p>
<p>“When we were preparing our loan documents we were actually asked to include our company background story. Yes, that’s right, our personal story about how we got into the business and, why we loved what we were doing,” says Dan.&nbsp; “I was absolutely blown away that a financial institution would consider that as a determining factor in deciding whether they wanted to work with us or not.”</p>
<p>Fox River Dairy received the loan they needed to grow from ABECU – which has brought more employees and opportunities to others.</p>
<p>“Without the ability to grow our business with the help we received from our credit union, we would not have been able to add the new employees that we have added in the last year,” explains Dan. “And because of our new capabilities we have helped several other small local businesses to grow by getting their product to more foodservice and retail establishments.”</p>
<h3>
<strong>Helping People with Disabilities</strong><br />
<strong>Derrick and Carol Dufresne, Owners, Community Resource Associates (CRA)</strong></h3>
<p>Community Resource Associates (CRA) works to help people with disabilities have access to affordable and integrated housing throughout the United States.&nbsp; As founder and president of CRA, Derrick provides conference presentations, training, strategic board planning retreats, workshops and management consultation nationwide regarding issues related to people with disabilities.</p>
<p>Derrick works extensively in the closing of residential facilities, transforming systems that support individuals with disabilities to implement best practices, and establishing community wraparound services for individuals who are in crisis.&nbsp; He is also deeply involved in teaching and coaching how to pair person-centered planning with individual budgets as part of the implementation of self-determination in a Medicaid environment.</p>
<p>CRA had significant deposits and accounts at a large regional bank, but was unable to obtain credit financing from the bank for their company’s needs. The Dufresnes live near an American Eagle Credit Union (a division of ABECU) branch in West St. Louis County, and came in asking for a business line of credit.&nbsp; AECU provided a modest line of credit, which was increased in the second year and allows CRA to stay current with its expenses.&nbsp; As a consultant that travels across the country, travel expenses must often be paid before CRA receives payment for services.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The credit union’s personal interest in their company and their needs made the difference for the Dufresnes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“Everyone knows our names. We moved our business and personal accounts to American Eagle because they were interested in learning and understanding our story and serving our business needs from our first meeting,” explains Carol Dufresne, who also serves as CRA’s corporate secretary. “American Eagle looked at the big picture and realized that supporting our business was in everyone’s best interests. We have not disappointed them, nor have they let us down.”</p>
<h3>
<strong>TAKE&nbsp;ACTION for small business owners like these:</strong></h3>
<p>St. Louis Chapter credit unions:&nbsp; Make contacts with U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt by phone, by email, and/or in person today, highlighting the small business lending efforts and asking for support of S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center</a> (please be sure to register BEFORE writing your email)</li>
<li>
1-877-642-4223</li>
<li>
Credit union presidents and small business owners are encouraged to make contacts directly to McCaskill and Blunt key staff members.</li>
</ul>
<p>PLEASE NOTE:&nbsp; To give credit for calls and emails made outside of the <a href="http://app7.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=CUNA&amp;Definition=FedHome&amp;SV_Section=Federal">Grassroots Action Center </a>, please share those contacts made with <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org">Amy McLard</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
</ul>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/913" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anheuser-Busch Employees&#039; Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/914" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ABECU</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/915" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">American Eagle Credit Union</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/883" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act</a></div></div></div>Thu, 03 May 2012 16:21:47 +0000Amy McLard527 at https://heartlandcua.orghttps://heartlandcua.org/node/527#comments